Marilyn Monroe Entertaining Troops, 1954

In February 1954, actress Marilyn Monroe traveled to Korea to entertain the troops. Right before she flew into Korea, Monroe was in Japan on her honeymoon with Joe DiMaggio. She flew alone to Korea as DiMaggio was still attending to business in Japan. In the four days Monroe spent with the troops she performed ten shows. She later said that performing in Korea helped her get over her fear of live performances as she entertained audiences that totaled more than 100,000 troops. She remarked that the trip “was the best thing that ever happened to me. I never felt like a star before in my heart. It was so wonderful to look down and see a fellow smiling at me.”

The troops greatly enjoyed her visit. Ted Sherman, who served in the Navy during World War II and Korea, recalled:

The movie star was at her glamorous best when she performed ten USO shows in four days for U.S. soldiers, airmen, Marines and sailors during the Korean War in early 1954.

I was with a group of Navy guys who happened to be at Daegu Air Force Base when we heard Marilyn would entertain there that night. We convinced our transport pilot to find something wrong with our R4D transport, so we could delay the return flight to our ship in Tokyo Bay for that one night.

It was a great evening for all the homesick guys who were dazzled by the movie star’s performance. The sight and sounds of Marilyn singing “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” is a memory I still cherish.

Marilyn Monroe receives an escort while in Korea for her USO tour. Photo Credit: Robert H. McKinley Collection/Marine Corps Archives and Special Collections

Marilyn Monroe pauses for a photograph while in Korea for a USO tour. Photo Credit: Robert H. McKinley Collection/Marine Corps Archives and Special Collections

Marilyn Monroe sings several songs for an estimated 13,000 men of the First Marine Division. Miss Monroe stopped at the First Marine Regiment on her tour of the military units in Korea., February 16, 1954. Photo Credit: National Archives

Monroe poses for soldiers in Korea after a USO performance at the 3rd U.S. Inf. Div. area, February 17, 1954. Photo Credit: National Archives

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23 Comments

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Deone, I found two of her and a F-84 Thunderjet while in Korea. One can be found on Corbis Images here. The other one can be found here. I also came across Marilyn in a helicopter during her time in Korea and that too can be found on Corbis. Hope this helps!

Sherry Sellers

March 19, 2014

I have an original poster of Marilyn waving on top of an F-84G while in Korea 1954. I bought it in the early 90’s, it is framed. It is a very rare poster, I am wanting to sell it, I’m still trying to find out what it is worth. A young soldier took the picture and many years later after his death his family came across it and had the posters made and sold through an aviation magazine called Tailwinds. It was only available for a short time because it was pulled from the magazine for copyright reasons.
Sherry

I have not been able to locate any with her and an L-17. Good luck in your search!

Kay Martin

June 8, 2014

I have just had 2 orginal 8 mm rolls of film that have been taken from my car, and 1 cd. These had Marilyn in a army tank, and got out and sang for the troops. These were taken during her 1954 trip to Korea. If anyone tries to sell them please let me know (as they belong to my brother) you can see bombing in the background. Thank you, kaymartkk@yahoo.com

My father-in-law was with the 2ID in Korea and spoke about her visit. Whether fact or not, he said that while she was present in the mess hall, he danced with her. Have you ever seen any photos of GI’s dancing with her during her visit with the 2ID? Thanks and Looking forward.

Thank you for your service Ted! You can find so much on the Internet and YouTube, I’m glad you are now able to see her time in Korea.

Sandra McLeary Lytle

August 27, 2017

My Daddy and my Uncle were there at that time and both were able to not only see her but also got a picture of her.She was a really Wonderful person to be brave by going there to see all of you Airman.

Sandra

January 19, 2015

We have a black and white picture we believe is Marilyn Monroe that was rolled in a cardboard container that came from an estate sale. I can’t identify the picture as definitely her (no markings on the picture or box), but certainly looks like her. Background is black. She is sitting holding a drink. Does anyone know how I could positively identify it? Thank you!

Sandra, it sounds like a interesting photograph – hopefully it is indeed Marilyn Monroe. I would recommend finding an expert on her – a quick Google search yielded this possibility. The goal is to get it authenticated in case you decide to sell it in the future or, at the very least, you know definitively that it is in fact Marilyn.

Debra Holden

May 26, 2015

Sandra. I am an avid Monroe collector. I especially love to collect original photos and snapshots of her time in Korea. I have been collecting for about 20 years. I would be happy to help you try identify the person in the photo. If it is Marilyn, I’ll know.

Who do I contact to share some pictures, original negatives actually, of this event? My Father was a photographer in the the army at that time and I am in possession of the original negatives…

historybyzim

May 26, 2015

Hi Jeri, you can contact me (historybyzim@gmail.com) if you want to share them. If you are looking to sell them, I would suggest getting them appraised or verified and then looking into how to list them for purchase.

My father was a photographer in the army in Korea in 1954. I have prints and negatives of Marilyn Monroe, Terry Moore, Lilly Christine, Vice Pres Richard Nixon, the rebuilding of the Yong Wol bridge, ribbon cutting ceremony, lots of rebuilding efforts… My father has even more. The stacks I have are apparently the tip of his Iceberg, so to speak. I will see what he is willing to share. His memory is not very good these days… I even have his photographers ID from then…

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